This wine is somewhat of an outlier for Gérin, as it represents the more historical, traditional way that Côte-Rôtie is produced as a single wine blended from different plots. The appellation typically features a co-planted, co-fermented blend of Syrah with a small amount of Viognier. The 2017 vintage of this wine features 95% Syrah and 5% Viognier.
Champin Le Seigneur is affectionately named for the farm from which Jean-Michel purchased the original vineyard plot for this wine. Today, ‘Champin’ is a blend of 11 different lieux-dit across the appellation, planted on average 30 years ago, that come together to produce a stunning representation of the entirety of Côte-Rôtie.
The grapes are all hand-harvested and then fermented in stainless steel without malolactic fermentation to preserve the freshness and acidity in the wine. Once fermentation is completed, the wine is aged in barrique (20% new) for 22 months before bottling. This wine brings the intense violet and floral notes of Côte-Rôtie to the forefront, with a softness and approachability that makes it ready to drink now.
Press Notes :
94 points, James Suckling – “This has a very rich and attractively fleshy feel with dark berries and milk chocolate and a fine, dense and still drinkable finish. Drink now."